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With the climate crisis leading to more heatwaves and each year seeming like the 'hottest summer on record,' it's crucial to select clothing that help you stay cool and comfortable during hot weather.  Our blog explores the best clothing options to keep you comfortable during a sweltering day at work or while enjoying your summer holidays.

Choose natural fibres 

Choosing cotton clothing for your summer staples is one of the best ways to help your body cope with the warmer weather.  Naturally breathable cotton helps move the heat and moisture away from your skin, keeping you cool for longer.  Opting for organic cotton can be an even better choice for keeping cool - organic cotton is grown without pesticides and organic cotton clothing is produced without dodgy dyes and harmful chemicals, making it the smart choice for sensitive skins that are already irritated by heat.   

Stay away from synthetics

Whilst much of the sportswear available today is constructed from polyester and polyester blends, it's important to be aware that in very hot weather or during intense exercising these types of fabrics can actually keep heat close to your skin, and work against your body trying to regulate your temperature.  In extreme circumstances this can leat to heat rash which when your sweat ducts become blocked with sweat, becoming inflamed and uncomfortable.   Synthetic sportswear is often promoted as being moisture wicking, drawing sweat  from your skin - this is because the plastic-based fibres don't absorb moisture and the fabrics have tiny holes to allowing your sweat to pass through, however unlike cotton, these types of fabrics are known to be attractive to odour-emitting bacteria,  meaning they can start to smell quicker than cotton, and hold on to the stink too for longer.   Many performance fabrics rely on coatings to enhance their wicking properties so if you're looking at reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals and irritants, it's best to avoid these too. 

Caring for your clothes, whilst caring for the environment too 

Avoiding sweaty synthetics and opting for skin friendly organic cotton has a positive impact on our environment too.  As cotton absorbs moisture from your body, it's important to change out of clothes once they become damp from sweat, as wearing sweaty clothes for too long can contribute to heat rash or fungal outbreaks.  It's good to know that because cotton is a durable natural fibre, it will still look good even after increased washing.   For minimal environmental impact always choose a natural laundry detergent, and line dry.   Conversly washing petrochemical and plastic based fabrics like nylon and polyester causes microfibres to detatch, that are then released into the enviroment, damaging to our waterways, oceans and marine life.    

End of life for your clothes

Another reason to opt for organic cotton over petrochemical-based fibres like polyester is for the environmental benefits at the end of it's life.  Despite the increase in using recycled fibres in clothing, much of our plastic based synthetic clothing still ends up in landfill.   Choosing clothing made from natural fibres including cotton, wool and silk means they will completely biodegrade.  Choosing organic versions of natural fibres has an even lower impact, as organic cotton is grown without pesticides, and organic clothing is crafted without synthetic dyes and finishing agents, which means as they naturally biodegrade they won't release toxic chemicals into the environment. 

people wearing organic cotton t-shirts and looking happy

Creating a sustainable summer wardrobe. 

Breathable base layers like organic cotton underwear are best way to build an outfit for comfortable summer dressing.   Our range of pure organic cotton underwear for women and men, are made with 100% pure organic cotton.  

Our feet are usually the sweatiest part of our bodies, with up to 250,000 glands per foot, so choosing suitable summer footwear is essential to keep feet cool and help prevent fungal infections like athletes foot.  Choosing to go bare foot or au natural in sandals is ideal, or when the situation calls for socks then lightweight everyday organic cotton socks will provide all day comfort, and for exercising our organic cotton terry socks have an extra thick cushioned sole for improved absorbency that are popular for running, rambling and gym work outs. 

As well as choosing cotton, a loose flowing style helps air to circulate well.  Our  organic cotton t-shirts are a summer staple, a mid-lightweight cotton tee like our everyday t-shirts or women's everyday tee works for days out as well as working out. It's good to know that all our t-shirts are certified to the Global Organic Cotton Textile Standards (GOTS) too, which ensures they're made under ethical conditions too.   

 

a woman wearing an organic cotton vest and a man wearing organic cotton boxer shorts

Keeping cool at night is one way to help get a great night's sleep, and for nightwear options then a loose fitting sleep t-shirt or Grandard style nightshirts are made from organic cotton.   If you're one of the many people who overheat at night, then check out our blog post all about bedding to keep you cool just here.